October 9, 2000

Since 1973, term-limits have served Chula Vista well.

By Patrick Osio, Jr.

In state after state, whenever term-limits for the governor's office and legislative bodies have been placed on ballots, voters have resoundingly approved the measure. Political bodies and special interest lobbyists use whatever methods and influence at their disposal to keep such measures from the ballot, and when unsuccessful, they plow large amounts of political contributions in futile attempts to defeat the referendum.

Lost in the high-profile state and federal term-limits debate is the municipal term-limits movement fast spreading throughout the country. Voters in nearly 3,000 cities have imposed term-limits on their elected officials. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C, Denver, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and San Diego are among the more recognized, but the list includes Chula Vista.

When placed on ballots, voters have approved municipal term-limits by an average of 70 per cent in favor, a higher percentage than those for state office term-limits.

Against the national populist current, Chula Vista's political body wants voters to rescind its Charter's term-limit restriction on Election Day, November 7, 2000. To play safe, voters are given two choices: One, do away with term-limits altogether. Or Two, what they hope is more palatable, change the limit to three-terms instead of the present two-term restriction. Voters will be able to vote yes or no on one or both measures.

Since 1973 the City Charter has limited the Mayor and City Council members to no more than two four-year terms. A council member can serve two city council terms (8 years), and if elected to mayor, can serve two terms (8 years) in that capacity.

Is the City's present political body suggesting that all those who in the last 27 years served under term-limits failed to properly represent Chula Vista? Are the Mayor and city council members who support the measure willing to look at voters in the eye and say they are indispensable? That Chula Vista's future is doomed without their leadership?

Of course, Shirley Horton is a good mayor, but so was Greg Cox, and he is today a good Supervisor. Of course, Patty Davis is a good council-member, but so was Shirley Horton when she was in the council. And like them, new citizens will step up, some will go on to higher office, others will serve their terms and go back to private life.

And those who feel they still have more to contribute at the city level, after four years out of office, can ask the voters to give them another chance. That's a good rule. Cities need Citizen Legislators, not Professional Politicians.

The arguments for doing away with the limits are not new, and are routinely soundly rejected by voters everywhere. Exaggerated claims that experience is what counts; without it the city will lose out; it takes years of experience to learn; limits are not needed, voters can retire a candidate with their vote, and on the common to every city litany goes.

Communities such as Chula Vista is where it all starts. Here is where good and caring citizens begin community activism and service. Those voted to city council have typically served in various volunteer capacities in city commissions, such as in the Planning, or Economic Development. And, or they have risen to positions of leadership within their local service or professional organizations, and have won community recognition. They are ready to become Citizen Legislators.

Since 1973, every elected Mayor has first served in City Council, acquiring the needed experience to be a solid Mayor. Greg Cox and Shirley Horton are proof of the effectiveness and wisdom of Chula Vista's 1973 visionaries.

Throughout the country voters are approving term-limits because, as history has most often shown, unrestrained terms turn Citizen Legislators into Professional Politicians, whose main goal becomes winning reelections.

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Patrick Osio, Jr. writes for HispanicVista.com (www.hispanicvista.com) and The Connection column for the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine.